clark



(No Model) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. H. CLARK. KEY MECHANISM FOR CASHREGISTERS.

Patented Dec. 28,1897.

Inventor.

Witnesses.

Attorney.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. H. CLARK. KEY MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

Patented Dec. 28,1897.

Inventor.

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(Nb Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 3.

W. H. CLARK. KEY MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

No. 596,860. Patented Deo.'28,1897.

Attorney.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

\VILLIAM Iil'. CLARK, OF ROCHESTER, NEIV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE ROCHESTERCASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

KEY MECHANISM FOR CASH-REGlSTERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,360, dated December28, 1897.

Application filed November 6, 1896. Serial No. 611,232. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. CLARK, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city. of Rochester, Monroe county, New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Key Mechanisms for Cash-Registers, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevationof a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on theline 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan of two of theactuating-springs, illustratin g the connections. Fig. Al is across-section on the staggered line at 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a frontelevation of the slotted key-plates. Figs. 6 and 7 are face views ofsaid key-plates. Figs. 8 and 9 are opposite side elevations of thelatch-plates, and Fig. 10 is a side view showing the driving mechanism.

This invention is applicable to cash-registers, calculating-machines,and like instruments of the two-motion typeviz., the type in which theactuation of the keys results in setting the mechanism in position orcondition to be operated to a degree corresponding to the key actuated,and then the mechanism is either operated or returned to initial position by a separate power device, such as a lever or crank.

In the device shown the crank II, provided with a suitable handle,transmits power by suitable connecting devices to the registering,indicating, or printing mechanism of the machine. The crank H is adaptedto revolve in one direction only, and for that purpose is provided witha ratchet-Wheel 77.- on its axis, a pawl h engaging said ratchet-wheel,and a spring 71 to press said pawl into such engagement. On thecrank-shaft is a gear-wheel H, which meshes with other suitablegear-wheels for driving the parts of the mechanism. One of thegear-wheelsH bears a crank-pin 'L, to which is attached a link I pivotedto a block 1 which slides vertically in guides i on the frame a of themachine. From this block I depends a link 1 to which is fastened a horizontal bail I, which rises and falls once with each rotation of thecrank.

The keys A A A by which this machine is set, are of the push-buttonvariety. Each key has a head a, a stem a, a lug or pin a on one side,and a lug or pin a on the other side of the stem. The keys are arrangedin different banks, as shown in Fig. 1, one bank being devoted to eachdenomination of money or of units. In certain of the cash-registersanother bank is devoted to characterizingmarks to indicate the origin orcharacter of the transactionas, for instance, in Fig. 1 the bank on theleft has a series of letters upon the respective keys to adapt it to setmechanism for indicating, recording, or printing correspondingcharacterizing marks. The bank on the right in said Fig. 1 is adapted tounits or in cash-registers to cents. The bank in the middle is devoted,as shown,to dollars. Cash-registers of this type have only the figures 1to 9 upon the keys of each bank where the notation is decimal. The zerosare not shown on the keys, but are shown on indicators of suitable formand construction, and are also usually printed by type which are at thenormal position of rest of the printing mechanism.

The key-stems a slide in suitable radial guide-slots I) in curvedbrackets B, there being one bracket fore-ach bank of keys. In thearrangement of the device shown in the drawings there are five of theseradial slots in a row on one side of the bracket, and four like slots ina row on the other side of the bracket, the positions of the slots onone side alternating with those on the other side of the bracket. Hencethe key stems and heads may be arranged compactly, as shown. The pin aon the end of each key-stem is connected to a spring (0 attached to apin (9 on the under side of the bracket, so that the spring always tendsto pull the key outward, and when the stem is pushed inward foroperation of the machine the spring is put under tension. The slots Z)in the bracket 13 are square, and the key-stems a are also square in theform shown; but any other device for permitting longitudinal movement ofthe key-stems and at the same time for preventing the keystems fromturning may be employed. The pins a extend sidewise from the key-stems,so as to project outward from the slots 6. On

each side of the bracket 13 is a stop-plate D D, which is pivoted torock on an axis E at the center from which the key-stems radiate. Twoplates D D are provided for each bank of keys and are fastened rigidlytogether by a sleeve d, and this sleeve turns upon the axis within thesleeve. The stop-plates D D are segmental in form and have near theirperipheries a series of parallel slots 100, 101, and 102 out in theirside faces and in arcs drawn from the center of the axis on radii ofdifferent lengths. These slots are of different lengths proportionate tothe values of the keys to be operated in order to allow the stopplatesto be rocked to different degrees and stopped at different points by anoperated key according to its value. Thus the operation of the keymarked 1 permits a certain movement of the plates, and the key marked 2permits twice as much movement, and so on.

The slots are separated from each other and from the edge of the plate Dby webs or flanges 103 101 105, and the shortest of these slots isnearest the axis of the plate, while the longest is farthest therefromon each plate. Through the webs and leading into the slots from theouter sides are openings 1, 2 3 to 9. When the plates D D are at theirnormal position of rest the openings are opposite the positions of thepins a and are of such size with reference to the pins that a pin canenter its opening only when they register quite exactly. If the plate ismoved from its normal position of rest, the webs come under the pins aof the unoperated keys and over the pins of the operated keys, wherebythe unoperated keys are locked in inoperative position and the operatedkeys are locked in operative position to stop the plate in its rockingmovement about its center of oscillation.

The slots have abutments 1 2 3 to 9 so far distant from thecorresponding openings 1 2 to 9 that when the plate is rocked and anabutment strikes the lug a of its key the plate will be stopped againstthe lug at a distance from the initial position of the platecorresponding in extent to the amount of movement necessary for settingthe register to register an amount corresponding to the operated key.Thus the slot 100 has a stop or abutment 3 in it for contact with thelug 0f the 3 key, which is adapted to enter through an opening 3 intothe outer slot 100, in order to stop its plates D D by a stop in saidslot, and the 9 key enters an opening 9, leading into the slot 100, andthe slot into which it enters is long enough to permit the maximum swingof the plate before the abutment 9 stops it. The lug of the 7 key movesinto the slot 101 through the opening 7, leading from the slot 100 tothe slot 101, and the swing of the plate is stopped against it by theend 7 of the slot 101. The openings for the lugs a into the inner slots101 and 102 lead from the next adjacent outer slots, and the lugs (trest in said adjacent outer slots, whereby a very compact arrangement isprovided.

Of course two or more keys may be simultaneously operated; but in anysuch case the key of lowest value is the only one which is effective instopping its plate. For instance, if the 1 key and the 8 key are bothsimultaneously pressed inward the plates D and D will be arrested assoon as the stop of the 1keyhas come against the lug a of the same key,and this will have occurred before the stop of the 8 key will have comein contact with the lug on its key.

Each pair of plates D D has an arm D provided at its end with a pin (1which rests in the slot (Z of an car d of a plug-slide D in a mechanismsubstantially the same as that shown in my Patent No. 556,0i5, grantedMarch 10, 1890; but it is obvious that the differential movement of theplates D D or one of them is suitable to produce the differentialmovement necessary to set any well-known cash-registering mechanism ofthe two-motion type.

In order to throw the sector-shaped plates D D forward in the directionof the arrowin Fig. 2 and to give them a normal tendency to move in saidone direction, I provide a springmotor mechanism, which may be connectedto it in any suitable manner. In order, 110wever, to provide a springwith a long life, I employ a coiled spring Z, attached to the frame A ofthe machine and also attached to a link D pivoted to the arm D and to aparallel arm D which last-mentioned arm is of substantially the samelength as the arm D and is pivoted 011 a shaft D parallel to the axis ofoscillation of the plates D D. The spring is attached to the link D at apoint distant from its attachment to the frame A and tends to pull thelink and swing the arm D and with it the plates D D in the direction ofthe arrow in Fig. 2.

In the form of device shown when the bail I rises it makes contact withand lifts the ear d", which oscillates the arm D and with it the plateD, arm D and link D, stretching the spring Z and putting it undertension. lVhen one of the platesas, for instance, the plate Dreaches itsnormal position of rest, the spring-operated latch F, pivoted to thebracket B, engages a notch f in the edge of said plate and the parts areheld with the spring Z under tension ready for another operation. lVhenthe plates D D reach said normal position of rest and are latched, asjust stated, the openings 1 2, ($110., in the webs 103 101 105 of theplates come opposite the positions of the lugs a on the key-stems, andthe operated keys may spring out under the impulse of their springs toto their original unoperated positions.

In order to detach the latch F from the plates D D, I provide amechanism situated between said plates D D and consistingof a sleeve G",surrounding the sleeve (6 of said plates and capable of independentoscillation thereon. The pin 663 of each key-stem to which the spring ais attached normally rests adjacent to a lug g upon one of twolatchplates G G. This lug has an inclined surface g, and a toe g on oneof the plates G G is normally held against a lug G upon the bracket B bymeans of a spring G There is a beveled lug g for each key-stem, and thetwo latch-plates G G are integral or are fastened together or connectedto move as if integral.

The latch F is pivoted to the frame, as at F, and has an angle-arm orbell-crank F which is pivoted, as at f to one of the plates G G. Anoscillation of the plates G G in the direction of the arrow marked 2 inFig. 2 stretches the spring G and releases the latch F from its notch fin the plates D, thereby permitting the plate to be thrown forward underthe influence of its spring Z until it stops against a lug a on theoperated key-stem. This movement of the plates G G is produced by thepressure of the lug a on any of the key-stems against the inclinedsurface g of any of the projections g on either of the plates G or G.

A key-stem a when depressed and held down by engagement of one of itslateral pins a with the under side of one of the webs in a plate D or Dremains against its lug g and the plates G G remain in their retractedpositions, but as soon as the plates D D are moved backward to theirinitial position the operated key-stem springs outward through itsopening in a wall or web of the slot in which the lateral projection awas held, and then the latch F immediately engages its notch f andretains the plates D Din their initial or normal position.

As the slots in the platesD D may be considered to end at the abutments,the slots are of different lengths proportionate to the value of theoperated key which acts in that slot to stop the movement or swing ofthe rocking plates after permitting an oscillation suffieient to set theregister to the required dedegree, or, in other Words, to permit anactuation of the register proportionate to the value of said key.

Nhat I claim is 1. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a platenormally tending to move in one direction and having a series of slotstherein of different lengths, a series of movable keys having astationary support, each key having a projection adapted to enter one ofsaid slots and to stop the movement of said plate in a positioncorresponding to the value of the operated key, a retainer for saidplate released by the actuation of any key, and connections from saidplate to a register whereby the register is set for operation.

2. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a rockingplate normallytendingto move in one direction and having a series of slots therein ofdifferent lengths, a series of movable keys radially arranged in astationary support and adapted to slide toward and from the center ofmovement of said rocking plate, each key having a projection adapted toenter one of said slots and to stop the movement of said plate when thelatter reaches a position corresponding to the value of the operatedkey, a retainer for said plate released bythe actuation of any key, andconnections from said plate to a register whereby the register is setfor operation.

3. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a rocking plate having aseries of slots therein of different lengths, a spring connected theretoadapted to rock said plate in one direction, a series of keys radiallyarranged in a stationary support and adapted to slide toward and fromthe center of movement of said rocking plate, each key having aprojection ad apted to enter one of said slots and to stop the movementof said plate when the latter reaches a position corresponding to thevalue of the operated key, a retainer for said plate released by theactuation of any key, and e011- nections from said plate to a registerwhereby the register is set for operation.

4. In akey mechanism for cash-registers,an oscillating sector-shapedplate havinga series of arcshaped slots of dilferent lengths on its sideface, mechanism normally tending to move said plate in one direction, aseries of radially-arranged keys in a stationary support, each having alateral projection adapted to enter one of said slots and to stop themove ment of said plate in a position corresponding to the value of theoperated key, a retainer for said plate released by the actuation of anykey, and connections from said plate to a register whereby the registeris set for operation.

5. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a pair of oscillatingsector-shaped plates having on their adjacent side faces a series ofslots of different lengths cut in arcs having radii of different lengthsfrom the center of each sector, mechanism normally tending to move endplates in one direction, two rows of radially-sliding keys, each key ineach row having a lateral projection adapted to enter one of the slotsin one of said plates through an opening in its wall and to stop themovement of said plates in a position corresponding to the value of theoperated key, a retainer for said plates released by the actuation ofany key, and connections from said plates to a register for setting theregister for operation.

6. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, an oscillating sector-shapedplate having a series of arc-shaped slots of different lengths on itsside face, mechanism normally tending to move said plate in onedirection, a series of radially-arranged sliding keys in a stationarysupport, each having a lateral pin adapted to enter one of said slotsand to stop the movement of said plate in a position correspond ing tothe value of the operated key, connections from said plate to a registerwhereby the register is set for operation, and a retainer released bythe actuation of any key for holding said plate in its normal positionof rest.

His.

7. In a key mechanism for cashregisters, a rocking plate normallytending to move in one direction and having a series of slots therein ofdifferent lengths, a series of keys radially arranged in a stationarysupport an d movable toward and from the center of movement of saidrocking plate, each key having a lateral pin adapted to enter one ofsaid slots and to stop the movement of said plate when the lat terreaches a position corresponding to the value of the operated key,connections from said plate to a register whereby the register is setfor operation, a latch adapted to engage said rocking plate and to holdthe same at its normal position and a latch-plate moved by the actuationof any key for releasing said latch from said rocking plate.

8. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a plate normally tending tomove in one direction and having a series of slots therein of differentlengths in the side thereof, a series of keys arranged in a stationarysupport and movable across the line of movement of said plate, each keyhaving a lateral pin adapted to enter one of said slots through its walland to stop the movement of said plate when the latter reaches aposition corresponding to the value of the operated key, connectionsfrom said plate to a register whereby the register is set for operation,a movable latch-plate operated by any key, and a retainer for said platereleased by the movement of said latchplate.

9. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a rocking plate normallytending to rock on an axis in one direction provided with a series ofslots of different lengths in the side thereof,

a series of keys arranged in a stationary sup port and movable towardand from the center of oscillation of said rocking plate, each keyhaving a lateral pin adapted to enter one of said slots through its walland to stop the oscillation of said plate when the same reaches aposition corresponding to the value of an operated key, connections fromsaid plate to a register for setting the same for operation, alatch-plate oscillating in the same axis as said rocking plate andoperated by any key, and a latch for said rocking plate released by themovement of said latch-plate.

10. In a key mechanism for cash-registers, a pair of oscillatingsector-shaped plates having on their adjacent side faces a series ofslots of different lengths cut in ares having radii of different lengthsfrom the center of each sector, mechanism normally tending to move saidplates in one direction, two rows of radially-sliding keys, each key ineach row having a lateral projection adapted to enter one of the slotsin one of said plates through an opening in its wall, and to stop themovement of said plates in a position correspond ing to the value of theoperated key, a pair of latch-plates oscillating on the same axis as thesector-shaped plates and provided with lugs having inclined facesengaged by pins on the keys whereby the latch-plate is moved by theactuation of any key, and a latch mechanism for retaining saidsector-shaped plates released by the movement of the latch-plate.

IVILLIAM II. CLARK. Witnesses:

E. II. MAnsnLLUs, A. E. Wnntr.

